She anxiously shook my hand, her tone full of flattery, "Alec, are you jealous? Don't misunderstand. Kieran is just my assistant."
I sneered coldly, "Assistant? An assistant with a monthly salary higher than a manager's? Decked out in designer brands, buying a supercar within three months of joining the company, what kind of assistant lives this extravagantly?"
"I know his background very well. He's just a rural college graduate you brought into the company not long after he graduated. I've told you before, I can't tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes. You may not love me, but betrayal is off-limits," I said.
Seeing my anger, Kate turned pale, her voice trembling as she explained, "There's really nothing between me and him. He's ambitious and hardworking, so I rewarded him. The high salary is just to motivate him, that's all."
I stared deeply into her dark eyes, trying to discern if what she said was true.
Kate had always stood out since childhood, growing up in a scholarly family. Whether in high school or university, she was always surrounded by admirers.
Like a rose in summer, she carried a certain aloof pride, always maintaining an appropriate distance from men. She once told me that I was her first and would be her only man.
Back then, we were inseparable, the perfect picture of a loving couple that everyone envied. But times had changed and so had she. The distance she kept now depended on the person.
I felt deeply conflicted, "The ring is part of a matching set with yours. Are you sure he's not deliberately provoking me, trying to disgust me? If he likes the ring so much, let him have it. I don't want something that's been used by others."
Kate clutched my hand tightly, "Alec, do we really have to talk to each other like this? I've been accommodating you at home all these years, you know that."
Looking into her stubborn eyes, I said calmly, "Fine. Then can you reassign Kieran?"
Hearing this, Kate's face immediately fell and her voice rose sharply, "I'm a person, not your pet. Do I need to report everything I do to you for your satisfaction?"
In my memory, she had always spoken to me gently. This was the first time I'd seen her like this.
I closed my eyes, no longer wanting to argue and said, "Fine. From now on, you can do whatever you want. I won't interfere."
"I've told you before, I can't tolerate betrayal. If you no longer love me, let's part ways amicably. Just give me a heads-up when that time comes." After saying this, I pulled my hand free and prepared to return to the wedding.
Hearing the seriousness in my tone, Kate grew flustered. She chased after me, trying to grab my hand, "I run a company, not an all-female brigade. You can't expect me to replace all male employees with women, right?"
I stopped and looked at her, "At the very least, your assistant can be a woman, can't she?"
She kept arguing, "There are situations where a man is better suited to handle things."
I chuckled, "Am I not a man? Are there tasks your assistant can handle that I can't? Besides, do I have an assistant? Have I ever had private interactions with another woman? Have I ever been involved in any scandal?"
Kate was at a loss for words, unable to respond. Finally, she murmured in grievance, "You just want to control my life."
I let out a long sigh and finally threw her hand off mine.
Kate didn't chase after me again, but she did send a message: [Tonight, no matter how unreasonable your request, I'll agree to it, as long as you don't ask me to change my assistant.]
